Top 10 Solotravel tips
Stay connected
Download Skype/Viber/WhatsApp etc. to stay in touch with friends and family. Very useful when you feel lonely and just want to talk with someone you know.
Eat at Off-Peak Times
The shortage of table service restaurants inside the parks means that the quick service restaurants can get painfully busy. The best way to avoid heavy crowds at quick service restaurants is to eat at off-peak times. Peak dining times are between 11:30am and 1:30pm and 5pm and 7pm. You want to avoid dining at these times as much as possible. Plan to have a late lunch or early dinner. You will waste a lot of valuable park time waiting in a long, seemingly never ending queue if you dine during peak hours. I once spent 45 minutes in a queue for pizza at a quick service restaurant, and it was not worth it. The wait times for rides are also slightly shorter during peak dining hours because a lot of guests are at restaurants. This is a great opportunity to get on a few extra rides while the lines are shorter!
Avoid riding into the sun.
If you’re traveling east or west, schedule breakfast and dinner times near sunrise or sunset so you don’t get stuck staring into the blinding sun when it’s low on the horizon. To learn more ways to get the most out of your next road trip, check out the American Motorcyclist Association’s 33 Secrets for Smart Touring.
Explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Creative has done a spectacular job of bringing the novels of J.K. Rowling to life. As you approach the “Please Respect the Spells Limits” Hogsmeade sign, you’ll feel like you have officially made it home. You do not want to miss out on all the amazing fun that is in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this is one of the busiest parts of the park, so it is a good idea to do the rides in this section in the morning before it gets too busy. Additionally, do not forget some of the other magical attractions like getting a wand or trying some butter bear (yes, your kids can have it too.) You will be sure to have a mystical time.
If you're ever in Split, Croatia, make sure you go to Vidilica for a drink
Take the Time to Visit Disney Village
You’ll be very busy at Disneyland Paris, and it is easy to focus all your time and attention on the parks. You’re paying a lot of money, and you want to get your money’s worth and ride everything you can. While I understand that mentality, I also think it is a mistake. Disney Village is well worth a visit. There are a number of shops with unique items you might not easily find inside the parks. This includes a really cool art shop that collectors will love. Disney Village also has a lot of different dining options, and that is the biggest draw of the area. It has quite a few table service restaurants that you don’t need a reservation to eat at. The restaurants at Disney Village are a great option for people who weren’t able to get reservations inside the parks. Even if you’re not interested in the shopping or restaurants, it is still worthwhile to wander through Disney Village. It is a beautiful area with a scenic lake, and you’re able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the parks for a little while. You don’t have to spend much time in Disney Village. Even just 30 to 45 minutes will be enough time to wander through the area and get a sense of the atmosphere and if you want to spend more time there. I didn’t take the time to explore Disney Village the first time I went to Disneyland Paris and regretted it! Learn from my mistakes and be sure to visit Disney Village on your trip.
More People, More Fun, Less Money
A solo trip to Universal Studios Hollywood is what we’re all about here on ThemeParkHipster, but going to Universal Hollywood Studios with all your friends or family can be so much fun. It can actually save you money. The park offers discounts for big parties (of ten or more people), and it is worth a call to the park if you are planning to buy that many people. Take more people, have more fun, and actually spend less money (in comparison.)
Don’t be shy
Ask people questions or just ask them to take a picture of yours. You can learn a lot about the place from locals, things like you can’t even find on the internet.
McDonald’s and Starbucks nearly always have Wi-Fi
If you need to check emails, get directions, or do anything online, you’ll find a McDonald’s or Starbucks in practically every city around the world. They’re almost guaranteed to have free usable internet.
Use a pill bottle instead of blister packs
When I first set out, I had six months’ worth of anti-malarials that took up a ridiculous amount of space in their blister packs. I popped the pills out into a bottle and stuck my prescription onto the outside. It freed up so much room in my bag! Pro tip: stuff some cotton wool into the top so you don’t rattle while you walk.